Fans wait in long lines to enter Canadian Tire Centre for Senators home opener

Hundreds of fans wait outside Canadian Tire Centre to go through COVID-19 vaccination checks before the Ottawa Senators home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa)

OTTAWA — Fans waited in long lines outside Canadian Tire Centre ahead of the Ottawa Senators home opener, as fans and arena staff adjusted to new COVID-19 protocols.

Shortly before the puck dropped at 7:13 p.m., CTV News Ottawa cameras saw hundreds of people standing outside the Kanata arena waiting to go through the COVID-19 vaccination check and enter the stadium.

All fans ages 12 and older must show proof of full vaccination to enter the arena, along with a government-issued ID.

Thursday's home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs is also the first game the Senators can host a capacity crowd of 18,600 people after Ontario relaxed COVID-19 capacity restrictions.

The Senators opened the doors two hours before puck drop to give fans time to get through the COVID-19 checks and enter the arena for the home opener.

Inside the arena, there were long lines at concession stands.